Albany businesswoman, philanthropist Jane Willson dies

ALBANY — Longtime Albany businesswoman, leader and philanthropist Jane S. Willson died early Tuesday at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital after after a long illness. She was 92.

Willson was widely known and in Southwest Georgia and throughout the state for her business successes and contributions to a variety of causes.

Born Jane Seddon in 1923 in New York City, Willson moved to Albany in 1951 with her husband, the late William Harry Willson, and began managing a small pecan orchard owned by her husband’s family.

The couple had already begun selling pecans grown on the family’s farm through the mail in 1948, so the move to Albany was a natural progression.

Over the years the couple, with Jane Willson as president and secretary, turned the farm into two hugely successful companies, Willson Farming, and Sunnyland Farms, which together grows, processes, and sells pecans, almonds, cashews and a variety of other nut and nut products across the globe.

While she and her husband had tremendous success in business, the couple will likely best be remembered for their philanthropic efforts.

Jane Willson served on several boards including serving as chairman of the Albany-Dougherty Inner City Authority (ADICA) board for several years and serving as United Way of Southwest Georgia Board Chairman in 1987. Willson was also the first woman to serve on the board of directors of Bellsouth Telecommunications.

Additionally Willson served as president of the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, as well as serving on the Albany Technical College College board, the Albany State University (ASU) Foundation, the Darton State College Foundation, and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board.

Willson was a member at First United Methodist Church, as well as being active with the Albany Area Arts Council, the Albany Museum of Art, the Albany Concert Association and the Charity League of Albany.

“She and my father, the effect they had on the community is immeasurable,” said son Larry Willson, who returned to Albany in 1978 to work for the family business and is now the president and CEO of Sunnyland Farms. “She was well loved in the community and the community will miss her.”

Indeed, the list of the organizations in the Albany area that Willson touched is a long one, and because she did not like to have attention drawn to the fact that she supported so many causes, that list is likely longer than many realize.

But although Willson had connections to several Albany organizations and supported numerous causes, there are some that she supported very publicly and that will forever bear her stamp.

Once such organization is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany. In addition to serving on the organization’s board of directors for years, Willson provided funds for the organization to build the Jane Willson Unit on Holloway Avenue.

This year will mark the first year that the organization will present the Harry and Jane Willson Partner of the Year Award at its annual Steak and Burger Dinner to an organization that best embodies the couple’s spirit of giving.

“It’s a sad day for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany as well as this community,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany Assistant Chief Professional Officer Marvin Laster. “We will forever honor and cherish their commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs and to the community as a whole.”

Willson was also a significant supporter of the Albany Museum of Art, helping with the establishment of the museum and providing funds for the construction of the Jane and Harry Willson Auditorium, which the museum uses for a variety of functions.

“In the passing of Jane Willson, the Albany Museum of Art has lost a great and good friend, whose encouragement, counsel and wisdom meant so much to us over the years,” said Albany Museum of Art Board of Trustees President Kirk Rouse. “The cause of the charity has lost a leader. The example of her philanthropy will remain a source of continued inspiration to all of us.”

Willson was also hugely influential in the creation of the Willson Hospice House, which serves as the home of Albany Community Hospice and Pallative Care. Thanks to Willson’s lead donation of $1 million, Willson Hospice House is able to provide inpatient care to people from across Southwest Georgia who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

“Jane Willson will be remembered as a passionate community leader whose legacy as an unselfish giver of time, talent and treasure has improved the quality of life for Albany and many other communities in Southwest Georgia,” said Phoebe Putney Health System President and CEO Joel Wernick. “She will be greatly missed.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Clifford Porter, who, as vice president of institutional advancement for ASU, had built a friendship with Willson over the years.

Porter said that Willson had long been involved with ASU and had provided more than just generous funding for the institution.

“Anyone can write a check,” said Porter. “She was a part of this institution. She was a great lady and probably one of the greatest benefactors we’ve had. I was talking to her once and asked her about all she did for so many organizations and she said ‘you know we go to church and hear that God is love. Well if God is love then we should show love to as many people as we can.’ And that’s how she lived. I don’t think we’ll see another patron like Jane Willson. She was an angel. I don’t think there was a limit to her generosity.”

While her impact on Albany will be felt for generations, Willson’s generosity will be felt far outside the community as well.

Willson was a long-time supporter of the University of Georgia, serving as UGA Foundation Trustee, and as a board member of the UGA Research Foundation.

Additionally Willson donated millions to various causes at the university, including a $1 million donation to the UGA Honors Program to create the Willson International Honors Scholars Program.

Willson and her husband were also supportive of the school’s humanities division, endowing the UGA Center for Humanities and Art, which was renamed the Jane and Harry Willson Center for Humanities and Arts in 2005.

“Jane set a standard for philanthropy and service that few have surpassed,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “She supported all aspects of UGA ranging from the Honors Program to the arts and humanities for many decades, creating avenues to promote research and creativity among faculty and to facilitate international travel-study for our students. She will be missed as a dear friend of the University and a personal friend of mine.”

Willson’s impact was also felt at Valley Children’s Hospital where a $1 million donation in 2006 honor of Willson’s daughter, Jane H. Willson, and her son-in-law, Malcolm MacDonald, paved the way for the creation of the Willson Heart Center at Children’s Hospital in Madera, Calif.

“She was such an icon,” said Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany Board Member and Patsy Martin. “She was so unselfish. If she believed in something she supported it and it became her thing. She did so much for the community. I honestly don’t know how she had time to do all she did. She was amazing.”

When asked to describe Willson, long-time friend Jo Jones, who played in a bridge group with Willson for more than 60 years, said she was a great friend.

“She was incredibly loyal,” said Jones. “She was always a faithful friend and always generous. She’d throw a party for you at the drop of a hat. Really she was very generous. And she was also brilliant. She and Harry built that business from an orchard into what it is.”

Willson is survived by her children William, Larry, Arthur and Jane, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Willson’s funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church Saturday at 10 a.m. and will be officiated by Rev. Don Adams. Internment will follow at Westview Cemetary in Atlanta. A visitation with friends and family is expected but was not finalized as of presstime.

Those desiring may send memorials to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany Inc. 711 N. Monroe Street, Albany, Ga., 31701.